Guelph Impresses Snowden Ahead Of Surround Stakes

Guelph failed to fire first-up in the Group 2 Light Finger Stakes (1200m), but the classy filly impressed trainer Peter Snowden with her work ahead of the 2014 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm this weekend.

Trainer Peter Snowden is confident that Guelph can return to her best form in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Guelph had no luck during the running of the Light Finger Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 22 after being caught wide in the early stages of the race and could finish no better than sixth; with jockey Hugh Bowman admitting after the race that it was not the best ride of his career.

Snowden told TVN this morning that the daughter of Exceed And Excel had bounced back well from her first-up defeat and said he is confident that she will return to her best form this weekend.

“Things didn’t work out,” Snowden said of Guelph’s run in the Light Finger Stakes.

“Kerrin (McEvoy) is back on Saturday and he knows her inside out, so he will ride to her strengths.

“Her work was great this morning and I am more than happy with the way that she is going, we just need things to fall into place on raceday.”

Snowden admitted that he has been soft on Guelph since her tough first-up run and said that he was surprised by just how well she worked at Warwick Farm this morning

Guelph was far too strong for a stablemate in the final stages of the track gallop and Snowden was thrilled with the way she got through the soft surface.

“I went a bit easier on her because she did have a hard run first-up,” Snowden said.

“I was very mindful of what we have ahead, but she has come through really well and she is professional racehorse that has had a good grounding over a few preps.

“The prep she had before made her a bit stronger and able to cop a run like that and she has bounced back well.

“She probably worked a bit stronger than I thought she would but her mate didn’t get through the softer track as well as she did.

“It is good to know that because I think this track will be soft on Saturday.

“She was just like the Guelph of old.”

Snowden is chasing his third win in the Surround Stakes following his victories with Portillo in 2009 and Parables in 2011.

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Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.

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